Alpine Triumphs in Thrilling Fuji 6 Hours WEC Race
In a dramatic and unpredictable Fuji 6 Hours, Alpine clinched its inaugural World Endurance Championship win with its A424 LMDh. The race was a spectacle of strategy and skill, marked by numerous disruptions that reshaped the competition throughout its duration. This victory signifies a major milestone for Alpine, showcasing their capability to contend at the highest level of endurance racing.
Alpine's Maiden Victory in a Turbulent Fuji 6 Hours
The Fuji International Speedway witnessed a truly chaotic and thrilling six-hour endurance race, culminating in a historic first victory for the Alpine A424 LMDh car. The triumph was secured by the skilled trio of Charles Milesi, Paul-Loup Chatin, and Ferdinand Habsburg in the #35 Alpine Endurance Team entry. Their win came by a narrow margin of just 7.6 seconds over the #93 Peugeot 9X8, piloted by Mikkel Jensen, Paul di Resta, and Jean-Eric Vergne, after a race punctuated by three safety car periods and five Full Course Yellows.
A pivotal moment in the race unfolded during the final round of pit stops. Milesi's decision to take only two new tires, while his rivals, including the leading Peugeot and the second-placed Penske Porsche 963 LMDh of Kevin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor, opted for four, proved to be a masterstroke. This strategic gamble allowed Milesi to emerge from the pits with a significant advantage, establishing an almost eight-second lead that he extended to eleven seconds in the closing hour.
The path to victory was not without its challenges for Alpine. Early in the race, Ferdinand Habsburg incurred a penalty for contact with the #8 Toyota GR010 HYBRID LMH, which also necessitated a nose change during the first pit stops. However, their fortunes shifted dramatically when Paul-Loup Chatin managed to pit just moments before the second Full Course Yellow was deployed with two and a half hours remaining, an opportune timing that propelled them back into contention.
The Penske Porsche, driven by Estre, had charged into second place as the final pit stops approached, but a five-second penalty for a pit stop infringement relegated it to third, where Vanthoor finished closely behind Jensen's Peugeot. Meanwhile, Ferrari experienced a challenging day, with their #51 factory AF Corse 499P LMH, driven by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi, finishing 11th after an incident with the Proton Competition customer Porsche and multiple track limit penalties, failing to add to their championship lead. Cadillac also saw their early race dominance fade due to the numerous neutralizations, with the #12 Jota Cadillac V-Series.R of Alex Lynn, Will Stevens, and Norman Nato securing their best finish in seventh.
In the LMGT3 category, the TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, driven by Charlie Eastwood, Rui Andrade, and Tom van Rompuy, claimed victory. Despite crossing the finish line behind the #21 AF Ferrari 296 GT3, a five-second penalty for the Italian car ensured the Corvette's class win.
This thrilling race at Fuji highlighted the critical role of strategy and quick decision-making under pressure. Alpine's well-timed pit stop and Milesi's efficient tire change were key factors in securing their significant win, underscoring the unpredictable and exciting nature of endurance motorsport.
The Fuji 6 Hours proved to be a masterclass in strategic racing and adaptability amidst chaos. Alpine's triumph, born from a combination of bold decisions and precise execution, serves as a powerful reminder that in motorsport, victory often hinges on more than just raw speed. It's about seizing every opportunity, even when the track is in turmoil. This outcome encourages teams to push the boundaries of their strategic thinking, constantly seeking that decisive edge that can turn a challenging race into a winning one. It also highlights the incredible resilience and focus required from drivers and pit crews alike when conditions are ever-changing, making every moment on track a test of nerve and skill.